Water Works Nail Pic

ABSTRACT

An architecture is presented that provides a nail cleaning device designed for cleaning away debris or stains trapped in a user&#39;s nail bed. The nail cleaning device comprises a liquid retaining reservoir and a spray nozzle in fluid communication with the reservoir for emitting a liquid stream under a user&#39;s fingernails or toenails. The reservoir is typically a cylinder shaped chamber with a hollow interior cavity, and a hose positioned within the cavity to allow water to pass through the cavity from an external water source. The water is emitted from the cavity via a liquid stream from the spray nozzle. The nail cleaning device further comprises a trigger positioned along the reservoir for releasing the liquid stream from the spray nozzle, and a chamber positioned within the reservoir for dispensing soap. The nail cleaning device also comprises an external hose that connects the reservoir to a pressurized water supply.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims priority from Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/517,020 filed Apr. 13, 2011.

BACKGROUND

Good hygiene is an important part of almost anyone's basic necessitiesin life, and according to many, clean hands are the most important placeto start. Those who work with their hands such as gardeners, mechanics,cooks, bakers, and many others, find it hard to maintain clean nails.The harsh nail brushes, abrasive nail scrubbers, and sharp pickinstruments that can be used to clean nails are often ineffective andpainful to use. An effective solution is necessary.

There is a need for a nail cleaning device that effectively andpainlessly cleans away debris or stains trapped in the fingernail bed.The present invention discloses a nail cleaning device or nail picdevice that is easily attached to a faucet of a sink or otherpressurized water source and houses its own liquid soap for easyapplication. The device could also have a separate container for housingits own water supply. The device gently but effectively washes away anydirt, food, or grime caught under the fingernails or toenails usinggentle water pressure.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summaryis not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identifykey/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its solepurpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude tothe more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof,comprises a nail cleaning device designed for cleaning away debris orstains trapped in a user's fingernail or toenail bed. The nail cleaningdevice comprises a liquid retaining reservoir and a spray nozzle influid communication with the reservoir for discharging a liquid streamunder a user's fingernails or toenails to remove debris and stains. Thereservoir is preferably a cylindrically shaped chamber with a hollowinterior cavity comprising a hose, and is designed to allow an amount ofliquid, such as water, to pass through the cavity or chamber. The wateris discharged from the cavity via a liquid stream from the spray nozzle.The water is pressurized by an external pressurized water source (i.e.,the faucet) or it can be pressurized independently by the triggermechanism.

Furthermore in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, thenail cleaning device further comprises a trigger positioned along thereservoir for releasing the liquid stream from the spray nozzle, and achamber positioned within the reservoir for dispensing a soap or stainremoving liquid. The nail cleaning device also comprises an externalhose that connects the reservoir to a faucet or other pressurized watersource. Typically, water from the faucet is directed through theexternal hose into the hose of the cavity or chamber of the reservoirand discharged through the spray nozzle, which is in fluid communicationwith the reservoir.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certainillustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein inconnection with the following description and the annexed drawings.These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various waysin which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intendedto include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages andnovel features will become apparent from the following detaileddescription when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a nail cleaning delivery devicein accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of the internal cavity of thenail cleaning delivery device in accordance with the disclosedarchitecture.

FIG. 2A and B illustrate a perspective view of the spray nozzle of thenail cleaning device in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the nail cleaning deviceconnected to a faucet in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, whereinlike reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout.In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovationcan be practiced without these specific details. In other instances,well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form inorder to facilitate a description thereof.

The present invention discloses a nail cleaning device or nail picdevice that is easily attached to a faucet of a sink, or other watersupply, and houses its own liquid soap for easy application. The devicegently but effectively washes away any dirt, food, or grime caught underthe fingernails or toenails using gentle water pressure and/or soap.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 1A illustrate a nailcleaning device 100 designed for cleaning away debris or stains trappedin a user's fingernail or toenail bed. The nail cleaning device 100comprises a reservoir 102 and a spray nozzle 104 removably secured to,and in fluid communication with an end of the reservoir 102, foremitting a liquid stream under a user's fingernails or toenails toremove debris and stains. The device 100 can also be used to clean othersmall, and/or hard to reach objects. The reservoir 102 would generallybe constructed of plastic, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), though any other suitable material may beused to manufacture the reservoir 102 as is known in the art withoutaffecting the overall concept of the invention. The reservoir 102 isapproximately between ¼ and 2 inches in diameter, and approximatelybetween 1 and 5 inches long.

Furthermore, the reservoir 102 is typically a cylinder shaped chamberwith a hollow interior cavity 110, but can be any suitable shape or sizeas is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of theinvention, such as rectangular, oval, etc. The hollow interior cavity110 comprises a hose 112 which runs through the cavity 110. The hose 112is designed to accept water from a water source and discharge water fromthe cavity 110 via a liquid stream from the spray nozzle 104.

The spray nozzle 104 is removably secured to, and in fluid communicationwith, an end of the reservoir 102 and hose 112, and is typicallycircular in shape, but can be any suitable shape or size as is known inthe art without affecting the overall concept of the invention providedthat the same is capable of emitting a liquid stream to the desired nailsite in the manner described herein. The spray nozzle 104 isapproximately between ¼ and 2 inches in diameter, and approximatelybetween ¼ and 1 inches long. Furthermore, a trigger 106 is positionedalong the reservoir for discharging the liquid contents of the reservoir102 through the spray nozzle 104. The trigger 106 is typically a buttonthat a user depresses, but can be any other suitable trigger as is knownin the art such as a switch, toggle, etc., without affecting the overallconcept of the invention.

Furthermore, the nail cleaning device 100 comprises a chamber 108positioned within the reservoir 102 for retaining and dispensing aliquid soap, stain removing liquid, or any other cleaning liquid. Theliquid soap can be an anti-bacterial soap or any other soap as is knownin the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention.Typically, the liquid soap or stain removing liquid within the chamber108 is released in the liquid stream when the trigger 106 is depressed.The hose 112 of the cavity 110 retains the water, preventing the liquidsoap or stain removing liquid to mix with the water beforehand.Specifically, once a user presses the trigger 106, liquid from the hose112 is combined with the liquid soap or stain removing liquid from thechamber 108 and released as a liquid stream/soap mixture from the spraynozzle 104, which is applied under the fingernails or toenails of auser. However, the chamber 108 is not necessary and the reservoir 102can be used without the chamber 108. For example, a user could pre-treattheir nails, by dipping their nails into a heavier, cream-likeconsistency soap and then apply the nail cleaning device 100 under theirnails to remove debris and/or stains. Furthermore, the liquid soap andwater can be premixed and stored in a separate reservoir (not shown). Apump within the reservoir would pump the contents of the reservoir tothe spray nozzle 104.

FIG. 2A and B illustrate the spray nozzle 104 of the nail cleaningdevice, wherein the spray nozzle 104 comprises multiple openings fordischarging the contents of reservoir 102. As shown in FIG. 2A, opening200 of the spray nozzle 104 comprises a grouping of smaller holesarranged in a half-moon shape to clean an entire nail bed. Opening 208of the spray nozzle 104 is a half-moon or arc shaped opening to alsoclean the entire nail bed. Specifically, the openings 200 and 208comprise a plurality of jets or apertures spaced in an arc shape anddesigned to be placed directly under the tip of a user's nail to cleanthe entire nail bed. The jets of the openings 200 and 208 expel waterbetween 5 and 75 psi (pounds per square inch) in a generally semi-circlespray. Opening 202 comprises a singular jet or aperture for dischargingthe contents of reservoir 102. Opening 210 comprises a slotted aperturefor discharging the contents of reservoir 102. Openings 202 and 210 areused to target one specific area on the nail bed at a higher pressure.Specifically, the jet of openings 202 and 210 expels water between 60and 90 psi. The spray nozzle 104 can also rotate when the singular jetspray is used for openings 202 or 210. Typically, the spray nozzle 104is turned by a user to alternate between the openings 200, 202, 208 and210. Specifically, the spray nozzle 104 would have a dial on the end,enabling a user to turn the spray nozzle 104 to the desired opening(200, 202, 208 and 210). Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2B, the spraynozzle 104 can comprise separate, interchangeable heads 206 A-D, whereinone head 206A comprises a plurality of jets or apertures spaced in anarc shape and designed to be placed directly under the tip of a user'snail. The jets expel water in a generally semi-circle spray to clean theentire nail bed. And, a second head 206B comprises a single stream jetspray opening used to target one specific area on the nail bed at ahigher pressure. A third head 206C comprises an arc shaped opening forexpelling water in a generally semi-circle spray to clean the entirenail bed. And, a fourth head 206D comprises a slotted opening used totarget one specific area on the nail bed at a higher pressure. The heads206 A-D are removably secured to the spray nozzle 104 by any securingmeans as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept ofthe invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates the nail cleaning device 100 connected to a faucet300. The nail cleaning device 100 comprises a liquid retaining reservoir102 and a spray nozzle 104 removably secured to, and in fluidcommunication with, an end of the reservoir 102 for emitting apressurized liquid stream under a user's fingernails or toenails toremove debris and stains. Furthermore, the reservoir 102 is typically acylinder shaped chamber with a hollow interior cavity or chambercomprising a hose 112, and is designed to allow an amount of liquid,such as water or any other suitable liquid as is known in the art, topass through the cavity or chamber (not shown). The water is emittedfrom the cavity via a liquid stream from the spray nozzle 104.

A trigger 106 is positioned along the reservoir for releasing the liquidstream from the spray nozzle 104. Additionally, the nail cleaning device100 comprises a chamber 108 positioned within the reservoir 102 fordispensing a soap or stain removing liquid. Typically, the soap or stainremoving liquid within the chamber 108 is released in the liquid streamwhen the trigger 106 is depressed. The nail cleaning device 100 alsocomprises an external hose 302 that connects the reservoir 102 to afaucet 300. The nail cleaning device 100 can be connected to a kitchenor bathroom faucet 300, or any other suitable faucet as is known in theart. The external hose 302 can be any suitable length as is known in theart, such that the external hose 302 allows a user ample length tomaneuver while cleaning their nails. Typically, water from the sink isdirected through the external hose 302 into the hose 112 of the cavityor chamber 110 of the reservoir 102 and released at the end of thereservoir 102 through the spray nozzle 104. However, external hose 302and/or hose 112 are not needed and the cavity 110 of the reservoir 102can be pre-filled with water and/or soap and used without external hose302 and/or hose 112. A pump (not shown) within the reservoir 102 wouldpump the contents of the reservoir to the spray nozzle 104. A user wouldthen re-fill the cavity of the reservoir 102 as needed to continue nailcleaning.

Furthermore, the nail cleaning device 100 comprises a pressure valve(not shown), for controlling pressure of the liquid stream. The pressurevalve can be any pressure valve known in the art provided that it is ofa size that can be positioned within the reservoir 102. A user canadjust the pressure valve depending on the amount of water pressure heor she wants or needs when cleaning their nails. Additionally, the nailcleaning device 100 comprises a temperature gauge (not shown) fordetermining temperature of the water stream. The temperature gauge canbe any temperature gauge known in the art provided that it is of a sizethat can be positioned within the reservoir 102. Typically, a user wouldcontrol the temperature of the water at the faucet, or other watersource. Or, a user can just add water already at the desired watertemperature to the cavity of the reservoir 102.

In use, a user secures an external hose to an end of the reservoir andconnects the reservoir to a faucet via the external hose. The faucet canbe a kitchen or bathroom faucet, or any other pressurized water supply.Optionally, the user can then fill a chamber in the reservoir with soapor stain removing liquid. Next, the user rotates the spray nozzle to thedesired opening, or replaces the spray nozzle with an interchangeablespray head comprising the desired opening and secures the head in placeon the spray nozzle. The user then turns the faucet on and allows waterto flow from the faucet through the external hose. The water is directedthrough the external hose into the hose of the cavity or chamber of thereservoir. The user then depresses the trigger which releases water outthe end of the reservoir through the spray nozzle. If the user filledthe chamber with soap or stain removing liquid, then depression of thetrigger would also cause the soap or stain removing liquid to dispensefrom the chamber and combine with the water. The water mixture wouldthen be released at the end of the reservoir through the spray nozzle.The nail cleaning device is then placed under a user's nails to cleanaway debris and/or stains. After use, the external hose at the end ofthe reservoir can be removed and a cap (not shown) can placed to coverthe inlet to the reservoir. The external hose can then be drained of anyun-used water, cleaned and allowed to dry.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subjectmatter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivablecombination of components or methodologies for purposes of describingthe claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art mayrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimedsubject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter isintended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variationsthat fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in eitherthe detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to beinclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising”is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

1. A nail cleaning device, comprising: a liquid retaining reservoir; aspray nozzle in fluid communication with the liquid retaining reservoir;and a trigger positioned along the reservoir for discharging contents ofthe liquid retaining reservoir through the spray nozzle.
 2. The deviceof claim 1, further comprising a chamber within the liquid retainingreservoir for retaining soap.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein thechamber comprises a stain removing liquid.
 4. The device of claim 2,wherein the soap mixes with the liquid retained in the liquid retainingreservoir and is discharged through the spray nozzle.
 5. The device ofclaim 1, wherein a hose is positioned within the liquid retainingreservoir to allow water to pass through the reservoir.
 6. The device ofclaim 5, wherein the liquid retaining reservoir comprises an externalhose to connect the liquid retaining reservoir to a pressurized watersupply.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the spray nozzle comprisesmore than one discharge opening.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein oneof said more than one discharge openings discharges the liquid retainingreservoir contents in a generally semi-circle spray to clean entire nailbed.
 9. The device of claim 7, wherein one of said more than onedischarge openings discharges the liquid retaining reservoir contents ina single stream spray to target a specific area of the nail.
 10. Thedevice of claim 9, wherein the spray nozzle rotates when the singlestream spray is used.
 11. The device of claim 7, wherein the spraynozzle turns to alternate between the more than one discharge opening.12. The device of claim 1, wherein the spray nozzle comprises more thanone interchangeable heads wherein one of said more than oneinterchangeable heads discharges the liquid retaining reservoir contentsin a generally semi-circle spray and wherein a second of said more thanone interchangeable heads discharges the liquid retaining reservoircontents in a single stream spray.
 13. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising a pressure valve, for controlling pressure of the liquidretaining reservoir contents.
 14. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising a temperature gauge for determining temperature of the liquidretaining reservoir contents.
 15. A nail cleaning device, comprising: aliquid retaining reservoir; a chamber positioned within the reservoirfor dispensing a stain removing liquid; a spray nozzle in fluidcommunication with the liquid retaining reservoir for dischargingcontents of the liquid retaining reservoir; and a trigger positionedalong the liquid retaining reservoir for releasing the contents of theliquid retaining reservoir; and wherein the stain removing liquid withinthe chamber is released when the trigger is depressed.
 16. The device ofclaim 15, wherein the spray nozzle comprises more than one opening. 17.The device of claim 15, further comprising a pressure valve, forcontrolling pressure of the liquid retaining reservoir contents.
 18. Thedevice of claim 15, further comprising a temperature gauge fordetermining temperature of the liquid retaining reservoir contents. 19.The device of claim 15, wherein the liquid retaining reservoir comprisesan external hose to connect the liquid retaining reservoir to apressurized water supply.
 20. A device for nail cleaning, comprising: aliquid retaining reservoir, wherein the liquid retaining reservoircomprises: a chamber positioned within the liquid retaining reservoirfor dispensing soap; and a trigger positioned along the liquid retainingreservoir for discharging contents of the liquid retaining reservoir andthe soap; a spray nozzle in fluid connection with the liquid retainingreservoir; and an external hose connected to an end of the liquidretaining reservoir for connecting the liquid retaining reservoir to apressurized water supply.